Still kicking: After all of his injuries, Beau Waters refuses to retire. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

The resulting scar tissue made another round of surgery near impossible

“The shoulders actually tracking pretty well, had a meeting with the surgeon a few weeks ago just to discuss what the plan is moving forward, he suggested to put the surgery off due to infection and the risk of further infection,” Waters said,

The no-nonsense defender last played in July last year, where he managed just 7 games in 2013. Since debuting in 2004, Waters' has played a mere 120 out of a possible 235 matches

“When thinking about retirement its not something that’s really crossed my mind, unfortunately this game is a game that you need to be absorbed in and as soon as you start thinking about retirement and the possibility of not playing those weaknesses creep in , they could effect your judgement and its not something that I’ve experienced just yet “

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After missing so much of the off-season, Waters is doing his pre-season fitness work now. He’s confident he will be back playing within a month.

“Look I’m still an AFLfootballer for 144 hours a week and for me that’s and absolute privilege; I don’t necessarily get lonely per say, I'm a relatively driven person, I love being fit, love being healthy “

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Known for throwing his body into contests without caution, Waters says he won’t be changing his game style to prolong his career.

“Unfortunately some things are built in and its probably something that is innate and probably something that I gravitate towards but over the last 4 to 6 years. I have done a lot of work on my aerobic capacity, I’ve dropped a lot of weight and effectively that’s trying to help me run and become an outside wingman or an outside halfback flanker”

“When the side was going quite well (2012) it gave me an opportunity to rebound get the ball inside 50 and I was rewarded with the all Australian selection but look hopefully we are going well this year again”

Contracted until the end of 2015 Waters is confident he can make a significant contribution to West Coast's success this year, especially with the addition of Jamie Bennell and Xavier Ellis.